Charging Trolling Motor Battery While Camping

[Idratherbe...]

Just got my 10ft Livingston patched up and ready to hit the water after a year of being sidelined. I am an experienced shore angler but not an experienced boat owner. I have a 4 day camping trip coming up, and I need to know how to charge my trolling motor battery without electrical hookups. I assume that many of you have had to address this situation. Are there chargers that I can plug into my truck's cigarette lighter or the truck's 12v outlet while the truck is running? Would plugging in a power converter to convert the 12v to 120v into the truck work? I have a 30# thrust Minn Kota trolling motor. I have not purchased the deep cycle marine battery or the battery charger yet. Also, I have an old Sears 1.5 amp 12v battery charger that my grandpa gave me. No frills on the charger, it doesn't even have a light to tell you when the battery is charged. Will this work? All input and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. (Side note: I'd like to thank you all that gave your input on my topic of riveted hull vs welded.)

[Amx]

Install a converter in the truck.

Buy a quiet generator, it can also be used for lighting at the camp site. This is what I did.

[oneshot]

I Have a solar charger that hooks to my battery.. i have used it a couple times but i never checked to see if it worked well or at all..

[natetreat]

I have a small generator that I use on my trips, I plug a smart charger into it over night. It charges my battery in about 4 to 5 hours. It's a two stroke, so I bring pre mixed gas for when it runs out. It also charges my phone, powers camp lights and even my laptop. If only it had internet.

[BentRod]

I also suggest a small generator. Although a solar charger would be nice, those charge your battery very slowly and would probably be inadequate. You need something that will maximize your charge rate. Using your car (although possible) is not an economical choice either as you'll have to let it run for hours while your battery is charging. Pairing a small Coleman Powermate or similar generator with an appropriate charger should allow you to keep your batteries in good condition.

Depending on what type of battery you buy and how you plan to fish (trolling or sitting still), your battery might last you a couple days if used sparingly. I suggest you purchase a cheap digital multimeter and routinely check your battery voltage during your trip. That'll tell you how much you've discharged the battery and when it needs to be recharged (especially if it's a wet cell).

[drysuperfly52]

depending on where you end up, sometimes if you make nice with the rangers you can use there maintanence area or while they have a ranger in the camp office you can plug it it.

throw it in one of the bathrooms if you have a clear shot of door.

[Steelheadin360]

get a team of hamsters and throw them on some wheels! or one of those bikes the are a generator

[Bodofish]

Some camp sites have electricity but this may help, on sale in the stores for $99.99 http://www.harborfreight.com/63cc-900-W ... ource=1003
plugging into your car is a long waste of time. It only makes 12 volts. You can change the volts up and down but all you do is change the amps, there is no free lunch. It takes a give number of kwh to fill the battery, no way to get around it.

[MotoBoat]

I have a small generator that I use on my trips, I plug a smart charger into it over night. It charges my battery in about 4 to 5 hours. It's a two stroke, so I bring pre mixed gas for when it runs out. It also charges my phone, powers camp lights and even my laptop. If only it had internet.

I've heard the 4 stroke generators while running. But never a 2 stroke generator. How loud is yours Nate? Not as loud as a dirt bike I hope!

[triehl27]

I picked up a little Harbor Freight 1200watt, 2 stroke. I got the newer red model, as the older blue didn't get good reviews.

So far this little genny has been great. Very quiet. I mean they all make a ruckus, but comparativly this one is quieter then most I have been around.

I think it was $89 on sale, and I have got maybe 30 hrs on it so far. Bought the 2 year warrenty with it, so anything happens I get a new one.

I runs the charger great. I have even run the Makita Worm drive saw off it. It bogs down, revs up the saw slow but it worked all day doing it.

Can't really beat it for the price.

[mallard83]

I personally would just get another battery or two depending on type, to bring as spares. I'm sure I will get flack for this from some but........don't be "that guy" that brings the super annoying generator camping. That is, after all what most people go to the great outdoors for, is a nice peaceful setting. There is nothing worse than when some inconsiderate person pulls in near you and starts up a generator or blasts some music. What's the point of camping at that point?

I have an Optima blue top and a red top. Fully charged, they will get me through a full weekend of fishing just fine.

[natetreat]

I personally would just get another battery or two depending on type, to bring as spares. I'm sure I will get flack for this from some but........don't be "that guy" that brings the super annoying generator camping. That is, after all what most people go to the great outdoors for, is a nice peaceful setting. There is nothing worse than when some inconsiderate person pulls in near you and starts up a generator or blasts some music. What's the point of camping at that point?

I have an Optima blue top and a red top. Fully charged, they will get me through a full weekend of fishing just fine.

That's true. I camp wilderness style away from everyone, I'm not a fan of campgrounds. And I bring a very long extension cord and run the generator in the woods away from camp so I don't have to hear it. If you're at a camp ground, there is usually electricity anyways.